Anchor



6. l. TAYLOR ma 25, W34;

ANCHOR Filed Feb. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. l. TAYLOR Se t. 25, 1934c'ANCHOR Filed Feb. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 25, 19341,974,933

UN-HTED STATES PATENT; orricc Geoffrey Ingram Taylor, Cambridge, EnglandApplication February 28, 1934, Serial No. 713,314

in Great Britain March 21, 1933 11 Claims. (01. 114-203 This inventioncomprises improvements in or metal) may be carried through anaperture inrelating to anchors for mooring yachts and ships the walls of the fluke,and have its inner end generally, and may also be used for the mooringshaped to liein the angle between the blades of aircraft on water. Themain object "of the and to extend towards the point, being weldedinvention is to provide an anchor having a higher in position andconstituting a reinforcement for 60 drag/weight factor than isobtainable with the the blades. Preferably the pivotal connectionvstandard anchors' at present in use. between the two portions of theshank is ar- The invention provides an anchor comprising ranged toprovide considerable play, particularly a fluke in the form of a pointedstructure symin a direction along the length of the pivotal axis.

1 metrical about a central plane which is vertical An example embodyingthe foregoing features 5 in the operative position of the anchor, and aof the invention will now be described with refershank which ispivotally articulated to the fluke ence to the accompanying drawings, inwhich: (or a part rigid with the fluke) for swinging Figure 1 is asideelevation of the anchor, movement with respect thereto about an axisFigure Zis a plan of the fluke, which lies in the plane of symmetry ofthe Figure 3 .is an end elevation of the anchor 70. and aslant the lineof pull of the cable. looking on the rear end of the fluke,

In its preferred form the anchor comprises Figure 4 is a section on theline 44 of Figure 1, a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedFigure 5 is a developed View of a plate which plough-share symmetricalabout a central ridge constitutes one of the fluke blades, and formed bythe junction of the two blades and Figure 6 is 'a perspective viewshowing the 75 sloping downwardly towards a point, and a shank positionwhich the anchor will usually assume formed by two rigid portions,whereof one (the when dropped on the sea-bed (on a smaller fixedportion) is rigidly fixed to the fluke and scale than the otherfigures). extends outwardly'from the central ridge in the Like referencenumerals indicate like parts plane of symmetry, and'the other (thehinged throughout the figures. 0 portion) adapted to extend forwardly ofthe The fluke is built up from two sheet-metal fluke, is pivotallyattached to the rigid portion for plates 10 of the triangular form shownin relative swinging movement about an axis which Figure 5. The twoplates 10 are first bent to a lies in the aforesaid plane of symmetryand inparticular configuration and then welded totersects the ridge inthe region'of the point. gether along their corresponding marginal edges5. The term in the region of the pointv is in- 11 to form a structuresimilar to a double-bladed tended'to convey that the axis intersects theridge plough-share. The configuration to whichv each at aposition in thelength of the anchor which plate 10 is bent is such that each forms, oris nearer the point than the rear ends of the approximates to, a sectionof a cylindrical surblades. It may, for example, intersect the ridgeface formed by generators parallel with the cen- 90 I at a positionspaced apart from the oint by a tral ridge 12 produced by the union ofthe edges 11 distance equal to about one third of the length, of the twoblades. As shown in Figure 1, the of the fluke. Y I blades arewing-shaped, meeting at a point 13 I In one construction the pivotbetween the fixed at the forward jen'd of the ridge and diverging -40and hinged portions of :the shank is disposed from one'an'other at theirrear ends 14, The 5 obliquely in a forward direction towards the upperedge of each blade from the rear end 15 pivot. It is preferred that theweight distribuof the ridge to the extremity 14 of the blade extion ofthe anchor be such'that the centre of tends in'a smooth concave curve.The lower gravity of the unit comprising the fluke and the edge 16' ofeach blade is curved upwardly towards fixed portion of the shank shallliefsubstantially its rear end, as shown in Figure 1. Assuming theforward of a line between the pivot and the rear fluke to rest in anupright position upon the seaend of either blade. bed, the ridge 12extends upwardlyv and back- According to a feature of the invention, thewardly from thepoint at an angle of approxiouter surface of each bladeof the fluke may conmately 25 to the ground, and the fluke rests upon 50form to a section of a cylindrical surfac'eform'ed the two curved loweredges of the blades. 5 by generators parallel to the central ridge. Theh' hai 0f the $101101 is formed in fi d blades of the fluke may beformed by "sheet; portions, na e ya fixed p r ion 1'? and a hinged metalplates bent to the required configuration portion 18, both of which areconstituted by and welded together along the ridge.- Thefixed V-sectionbars. The fixed portion 1'7 is arranged 5 ortion of the shank(conveniently ty-section te extend through an aperture in the walls orthe fluke near the rear end 15 of the ridge and at its inner end 19 isshaped to lie in the angle between the inner surfaces of the two bladesand to extend towards the point. The part 19 of the fixed shank portion17 is welded in position at 20 (see Figure 4) and constitutes areinforcement for the blades. The fluke is further reinforced by across-bar 21 (Figures 2 and 3) extending between the rear ends of theblades and secured thereto by welding.

As will be seen, the fluke is symmetrical about a central planecontaining the ridge 12, and the fixed shank portion 17 is located inthe plane of symmetry. The outer end of the portion 17 extends upwardlyand rearwardly at an angle of 133 to the ridge. At its upper extremity22 it is bent forwardly at an angle of 110 and there carries a pivot pin23, the axis of which lies in the plane of symmetry of the fluke andintersects the ridge at a position spaced inwardly a short distance fromthe point 13. The angle between the axis of the pivot and the groundlevel (in the upright position of the fluke) is 52.

The hinged portion 18 of the shank has a forked extremity 24, the forkedarms being provided with apertures 25 within which the ends of the pivotpin 23 are received. From the forked end 2a the hinged portion 18extends fora wardly of the fluke (Figure 1) and at its forward extremityis provided with an eye 26 to take the mooring cable. The holes 25 forthe pivot pin are larger in diameter than that of the pin itselfforexample, the pin may be 7 and 1 the holes 1 in diameterso as to providesubstantial lateral play at the joint. Gaps 27 are left between theforked arms 24 and the extremity 22 of the fixed portion of the shank soas to allow also of substantial play at the joint in 1 the lengthwisedirection of the pivot pin. It is found that by providing in this wayfor considerable play at the pivot, the risk of the hinge being renderedinoperative or of being choked with sand or pebbles is avoided or atleast minimized.

The weight distribution of the various parts is such that the centre ofgravity of the unit comprising the fluke and the fixed portion 17 of theshank is well forward of a line between the hinge and the rear end ofeither blade. This arrangeq ment ensures the initial digging-in of thepoint of the fluke when drag is applied by the cable.

When the anchor is dropped on to the sea-bed it may fall in one orotherof four different positions. Either it may lie on one side or theother, occupying a position such as shown in Figure 6 which is the usualposition, or in exceptional circumstances, it might fall with its planeof symmetry vertical in the upright position, as shown in Figure 1, orin an inverted position with the point upwardly directed; In either ofthe latter cases, the anchor will fall over on to its side as soon asthe cable begins to drag. It has been found by actual test that whateverbe the original position of the anchor when it falls on the sea-bed, itwill start digging-in and automatically right itself when draggedforward by the mooring cable.

The action of the anchor is as follows: When lying on its side, as shownin Figure 6, the hinged portion 18 of the shank extends fiat along theset like a wedge aiming obliquely into the sea-bed. When the anchor,lying in this position, is

dragged forward by the mooring cable, the point of the fluke naturallydigs into the ground. The disposition of the centre of gravity of thefluke and fixed portion of the shank forward of a line joining the hingeand the rear end of the anchor, prevents the possibility of the anchorriding along the sea-bed with the point clear of the ground. When thefluke starts digging-in, the downward pressure of the ground on theportion of the fluke forward of the pivot axis turns the point of theblade still further downwards. As the fluke buries itself, the earthpressure on the blades produces a resultant moment about the pivot axistending to bring the fluke to an upright position with its plane ofsymmetry in the line of action of the mooring chain and the hinged shankportion. The anchor will remain substantially in that position while thedrag is continued, because any lateral deviation of the point, due toirregularities in the ground, will at once produce a resulting momentabout the pivot axis tending to return the fluke into alignment with thehinged shank portion. The provision of the hinge between the twoportions of the shankwhich is an essential of the invention-ensures thatin the first place, when the anchor falls on the ground or when drag isinitially applied, the fluke will take up a position such that it willtend to dig into the ground. The hinge thereafter ensures the automaticrighting action of the fluke and the maintenance of substantially stableconditions during the continuance of drag.

Various modifications may be made in the construction of the anchor asdescribed in the foregoing example without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In the construction illustrated the hinge liesimmediately above the fluke, but other positions may be selectedprovided the hinge is located in the plane of symmetry and is directedtowards the pointed end. For example, the fixed portion of the shank maybe extended in a forwardly direction and the hinge be formed at aposition in advance of one immediately above the point of the fluke, thehinge axis being as before directed towards the point, but in this casein a backwardly direction. Again, although it is preferred to employ ashank in two portions, it is within the invention to employ a singlepiece shank which at one end is directly articulated to the fluke forpivotal movement about an axis disposed in the plane of symmetry of thefluke and directed towards the point.

It is to be noted that if, in designing the anchor, the directions givenherein as to the distribution of the weight and other factors areobserved, no stock is necessary. The invention, however, does notexclude the provision of a stock (e. g. on the fixed portion of theshank) which may in certain circumsaances assist the initial digging-inor subsequent righting action of the anchor.

I claim:

1. An anchor comprising a fluke in the form of a pointed structuresymmetrical about a central plane which is vertical in the operativeposition of the anchor, and a shank which is pivotally articulated tothe fluke for sw'mging movement with respect thereto about an axis whichlies in the plane of symmetry of the fluke and aslant the line of pullof the cable.

2. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades andsloping downwardly towards a point, and a shank formedby two rigid. portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the fluke andextends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry, andthe other adapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point.

3. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, and a shankformed by two rigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the flukeand extends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry,and the other adapted to extend forwardly of the fiuke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point, the hinge between the fixed and pivoted portions of theshank being disposed above the fluke and directed obliquely in a forwarddirection towards the point.

4. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, and a shankformed by two rigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the flukeand extends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry,and the other adapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point, the centre of gravity of the unit comprising the fluke andthe fixed portion of the shank being disposed substantially forward of aline between the hinge and the rear end of either blade.

5. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, the outer surfaceof each blade conforming to a section of a cylindrical surface formed bygenerators parallel to the central ridge, and a shank formed by tworigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the fluke and extendsoutwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry, and the otheradapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to the rigid portionfor relative swinging movement about an axis which lies in the aforesaidplane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the region of the point.

6. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, the two blades ofthe fluke being formed by sheet-metal plates bent to concaveconfiguration and welded together along the ridge, and a shank formed bytwo rigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the fluke andextends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry, andthe other adapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point.

'7. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, the blades of thefluke being formed by sheet-metal plates bent to concave configurationand welded together along the ridge, and a shank formed by two rigidportions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the fluke and at one endextends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry and atthe other end is carried through an aperture in the walls of the flukeand is shaped to lie in the angle between the blades and to extendtowards the point, being welded in position and constituting areinforcement for the blades, and the other portion is adapted to extendforwardly of the fiuke and is hinged to the rigid portion for relativeswinging movement about an axis which lies in the aforesaid plane ofsymmetry and intersects the ridge in the region of the point.

8. An anchor comprising a fluke in the general form of a double-bladedplough-share symmetrical about a central ridge formed by the junction ofthe two blades and sloping downwardly towards a point, and a shankformed by two rigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the flukeand extends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry,and the other adapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point, the hinged connection between the two portions of theshank being arranged to provide considerable play, particularly in adirection along the length of the pivotal axis.

9. An anchor comprising a fluke formed by two sheet-metal plates weldedtogether in the form of a double-bladed plough-share symmetrical about acentral ridge formed by the junction of the two blades and slopingdownwardly towards a point, a reinforcing cross bar extending betweenthe rear ends of the blades and secured thereto, and a shank formed bytwo rigid portions, whereof one is rigidly fixed to the fluke andextends outwardly from the central ridge in the plane of symmetry, andthe other adapted to extend forwardly of the fluke, is hinged to therigid portion for relative swinging movement about an axis which lies inthe aforesaid plane of symmetry and intersects the ridge in the regionof the point.

10. An anchor comprising a fluke in the form of a pointed wedge-shapedstructure symmetrical about a central plane which is vertical in theoperative position of the anchor, a member rigid with the fluke, and ashank which is pivotally articulated to the rigid member aforesaid forswinging movement with respect thereto about an axis which lies in theplane of symmetry of the fluke and aslant the line of pull of the cable.

11. An anchor comprising a fluke in the form of a pointed structuresymmetrical about a central plane which is vertical in the operativeposition of the anchor and a shank formed by two rigid portions, whereofone is rigidly fixed to the fluke and extends outwardly therefrom in theplane of symmetry, and the other adapted to extend forwardly of thefluke, is hinged to the rigid portion for relative swinging movementabout an axis which lies in the aforesaid plane of symmetry and isdirected towards the point. GEOFFREY INGRAM TAYLOR.

